Influence Bionic Commando: Rearmed's price
by Terrence Stasse 
{ Feb 19th 2008 at 9:15PM }
From all the Bionic Commando content on the site, you readers can tell we're excited for the XBLA remake of the classic side scroller. The game's publisher, Capcom, will be releasing the game relatively soon and are still not absolutely certain about the final price point for the full version. So, they decided to have the community guy, Ben Judd, hold a poll over at the game's website to help choose between the two possible game prices. Our choices are $10 and $15, with Ben himself voting for $10. According to him, the Capcom higher-ups think that the game has enough features and polish to sell well enough at $15 to warrant that price. Ben's take is almost of the true artist, with his rationale being that the game will get into more player's hands at a lower price point. No matter what price you prefer though, let's not forget that games cost money to make, and a large cut of XBLA profits do go to the developers. Anyway, hit this link to get to the poll (its on the lower left-hand side, and you'll have to verify your age before entering.)
Also, make sure to check out the gallery of screens to be sure that you make an informed decision! NES graphics these are not!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
dan stabbingworth @ Feb 19th 2008 9:33PM
$15 for a remake of an NES game? Come on. No doubt they saw the massive interest when it was announced and said, hey, how can we cash in some more?
Don't get me wrong, I love me some Bionic Commando and I still play the NES version from time to time. But $15 is ridiculous.
And whoever voted $15...wtf
Jeramy @ Feb 19th 2008 9:34PM
yeah, $15 is a bit steep for an xbla game. granted, i haven't played this one and may be well worth the money, but that sure is a lot to swallow for a potential buyer.
Gemini Ace @ Feb 19th 2008 9:43PM
Really? They're actually considering a $15 price point? That irritates me. No XBLA game should be more than $10, and any game that's a re-make should be $5. Look at Asteroids, Missile Command, and Jetpac Refueled.
Terrence Stasse @ Feb 19th 2008 9:48PM
I'm going to have to disagree with you about the highest that prices should be on XBLA. I think Lumines, Alien Hominid and more are worth at least $15, if not $20.
Capping the price will cap developer interest.
Gemini Ace @ Feb 19th 2008 10:33PM
You have a point. I just think the higher price point should equal more game. If you go higher than $10, then the 50mb cap should be raised.
Perno @ Feb 20th 2008 1:04PM
You have to remember the costs for creating an XBLA game are less than a traditionally distributed game. They don't have to pay for any of the boxing, shipping, packing, user guides, DVD's, etc. Developers are probably chomping at the bit to make XBLA games, and I imagine there aren't many cases where a developer chooses not to make a game due to the price point being low.
Also, based on the most recent X3F Podcast with the Pirates vs. Ninjas dude, it's much easier to develop an XBLA game than a full-fledged console powerhouse. So with that in mind, there's no need for anyone to charge over $10 for an XBLA game right now. Perhaps in the future, but these games aren't deep/detailed enough to command $15 or $20.
Gemini Ace @ Feb 19th 2008 9:44PM
Oh, and the people voting for $15 should be kicked in the genitals.
Anticrawl @ Feb 19th 2008 9:51PM
Anything that isn't a brand new game should never be over 10 dollars on XBLA. I might not buy this game at all now that I know they were actually considering abusing our nostalgia for this game to make a quick buck.
Besides the lower price point will attract the 95 percent of Xbox Live users who weren't alive to enjoy the game yet. And just so we're clear I'm stating that 95 percent of all people on live aren't old enough to remember this game.
killploki @ Feb 19th 2008 10:18PM
oh please capcom, let me pay $20.
of course $10.
corbin @ Feb 19th 2008 10:24PM
If i was even considering buying an xbla game for $15 i would most likely pass for a used copy of an early 360 game, or possibly a classic xbox game, from gamestop. I mean for about $5 more and a coupon code you could get something like dead rising or oblivion which has way more value. And those are just example of extremely outstanding titles. Tons more would be as cheap or cheaper.
BluesmanTLU @ Feb 19th 2008 10:24PM
I smell a publicity stunt. They put it in your brain that the game could or should have been $15 dollars, but Capcom has decided to listen to the community and cut you a break by giving it to you for $10 because they care about your opinion.
The only thing this poll could possibly establish would be that people will not pay $15 for something when they could pay $10, which is hardly breaking news.
Anticrawl @ Feb 19th 2008 10:34PM
Of course that's the case, but who doesn't like to feel useful or valued?
Shogan @ Feb 20th 2008 12:27AM
I thought this would be a $5 game since it's a remake. $10 for an XBLA game makes me really question it's value, and $15 would completely turn me off.
badarsemother3k @ Feb 20th 2008 12:42AM
I am definitely willing to pay 15 but that price point would probably damage sales.
Boff @ Feb 20th 2008 5:22AM
What a stupid fucking question...
Oo ooo I'd like to pay a fiver more for it please!
Digital Limit @ Feb 20th 2008 10:01AM
Exactly, heh.
iLuvUrOpinion @ Feb 20th 2008 9:04AM
I agree with Gemini Ace. I would go so far as to say that the entire XBLA pricing system should be rehauled. I think $10 for any arcade game is steep, considering that it is a soft copy and not a disc copy. The arcade games have the limitation of only being played on one console. Disc games have resale values, the arcade soft copies do not. I think no arcade game, should exceed $10. We should expect a whole lot at $10, specially for a re-make.
Bravo6 @ Feb 20th 2008 9:16AM
LOL How dumb.
dylan @ Feb 20th 2008 9:55AM
considering I just bought a used copy of Kameo for 8 bucks, and G.R.A.W. for 7, I'd say I'd pay 5 for it.
craig64 @ Feb 20th 2008 10:34AM
I think the game looks awesome, and it's probably worth $15, but I'm not paying more than $10 for it.
eight @ Feb 20th 2008 10:42AM
For 10 bucks I will more than gladly pick up BCR on day one. For 15... not so much. I know five dollars seems silly, but its 50% more. 50%! It's not as if they were thinking of having the new BC be 60 dollars or 90. Thats also a 50% increase... its also ludicrous.
If the idea is to make more money on a title then you have to release it at a pricepoint people are willing to spend. They're not pressings discs, they won't have to ship extra unsold copies of the game to a landfill (*coughETcough*), they are making a digital file. one. that can be copied a 10 million times at 10 dollars or 1 million times at 15 dollars.
do that math capcom. tell me how it works out for you.
dunnypop @ Feb 20th 2008 12:00PM
how long is this game?
I think the replay value (even with 2 player co-op) is low.
unless this game is like 10 hrs long...
Perno @ Feb 20th 2008 12:49PM
Will any consumer vote for a higher price? It's like Wal-Mart asking their customers if they should charge $3 or $4 for a gallon of milk.
Either way, I don't buy any XBLA game over $5, so you guys have fun!
Poddie @ Feb 25th 2008 4:44AM
There's a HUGE difference between emulating an old arcade game like Asteroids or whatever for $5 and recreating a full NES game (which was far more complex even on the NES) for $5.
I think Capcom should charge whatever price point they think will be most profitable for them... we as gamers need to support this type of development if we want to see more old NES classics recreated in hi-def and 3D. If you have no interest in that then keep your $10 or $15 in your pocket.
Comparing a new product to $10 games that came out a year and a half ago is also not fair...
Sure, the consumer may do that at the store but obviously a game company can't just give their new games away.
And the guy who thinks he has done a 100% accurate analysis of the costs and profit model of XBL games most likely hasn't seen a single number and can't possibly make any conclusions.